Departing Simplicity

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Aug 5, 1913

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 40, No. 30.

Departing Simplicity

THE ceremonies of the Christian religion are few. It needs no more than it has, to manifest its true character; for from that individual who possesses true religion, there are ever flowing words and acts that show the hidden spring within. Ceremonies are outward; religion springs from within; its seat is in the affections and principles that control the individual. The multiplying of needless ceremonies, the increase of ritual pomp and splendor, always calls attention from the real inner life to an unreal outer life, till at last religion is lost in form and ceremony. This is the way it was with the early church, and papal Rome was developed. Are not our Protestant churches walking in the same path in their aping of Rome in ornate display and multiplication of days and times?